Sunday, July 26, 2015

To Love a Texas Cowboy (Wishing, Texas Book 1) by Julie Benson

New York artist Cassie Reynolds moves to Wishing, Texas to raise her orphaned niece, and discovers she’s in way over her head. Then she meets Ella’s financial guardian, Ty Barnett, a handsome hardworking rancher, with his own ideas on child rearing. 
Ty and Cassie clash over almost everything, especially Ella, but when two people have the welfare of one child at heart, suddenly they find themselves looking at each other in a whole new light… 
Will Ty make room for another lady in his life? And will Cassie allow herself to love a Texas cowboy?

Review: I was given a copy of To Love a Texas Cowboy from NetGalley for an review an this is the review.
This book was your typical romance story. The one thing I did dislike about this book was the over use of cliches. I think the author used every one she has ever heard her entire life in this book and it was getting to the point it was getting annoying.
As for the rest of the book it was a sweet romantic read about Ty and Cassie with a bit of trouble to add some action to the book. The chemistry between the characters was well written and it was a well paced book.
I am giving it three out of five stars because some of the dialogue just got on nerves after awhile.

Friday, July 24, 2015

My Sister's Secret by Tracy Buchanan


Everything you’ve built your life on is a lie
Willow’s memories of her parents are sun-drenched and full of smiles, love and laughter. But a mysterious invitation to a photographic exhibition exposes a secret that’s been buried since a tragic accident years ago.
Willow is forced to question everything she knew about Charity, her late mother, and Hope, the aunt she’s lived with since she was a child.
How was the enigmatic photographer connected to Willow’s parents? Why will Hope not break her silence?
Willow cannot move forward in her life without answers. But who can she really trust? Because no one has been telling the truth for a very long time.

Review: I was given a copy of My Sister's Secret from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
This book was pretty good. It was told by a daughter and mother who passed always point of view so it was the mother's memories of what had happened in the past and the daughter's point of view of trying to find out what did happen which I found kind of interesting. I found both Willow and Charity interesting characters even though both of them would not be people I could deal with in real life. Charity is too indecisive and in my mind unable to make up her own mind and craves acceptance from others too much and Willow is a bit flighty.
As for the story I really enjoyed it. I liked how it was told between the two characters perspectives and I also enjoyed the twist and turns the plot had in it to keep the story me moving any the reader guessing.
I really enjoyed this book. It had enjoyable characters, a good story, a bit of a mystery and some romance and it is because of all of this I am giving it four out of five stars.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

What She Doesn't See by Debra Webb

Sometimes what you don't see can get you killed... 
Alex Jackson built Never Happened--a cleanup service that specializes in erasing all evidence of a homicide or suicide or any other serious mess--from the ground up. The small company keeps her financially secure and independent. But being independent can be lonely sometimes, and all the money in the world can't hold her tight when she climbs into bed at night. 
When a high-tech gadget she discovered at her latest suicide cleanup gets a detective--and former lover--killed, Alex is propelled into the kind of dangerous plot spy novels are made of. Wyatt Murphy, the brooding deep cover agent shadowing her every move, makes Alex yearn for things she's never wanted before. But can Alex trust the sexy stranger to keep her safe without stealing her heart? 

Review: When I pick up a Debra Webb book I expect to read a great book and every time I get what I expect. I loved What She Doesn't See. This book was a bit different from Webb's usual books because the main male character was a CIA agent so that threw me for a second but once I got over who Wyatt worked for I really liked this handsome agent. As for the Alex character her profession of cleaning up after death and things last like that is something I could never do but I found her absolutely fascinating. Anyone who could do that job would be a person I would love to sit down and just talk too and her views on relationships was also very interesting to say the least.
As for the plot of the book I also highly enjoyed that. It was very steadily paced and action filled. There was never a dull moment in this book from the mess Alex got into with the device she found to some of the jobs she had to clean up. I am not going to give details for spoiler reasons but this woman did not have a dull moment.
With all that said, I am going to highly recommend this book and give it five out of five stars.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

My Very Best Friend by Cathy Lamb

From a childhood friendship sustained over years and distance, to a journey of discovery, Cathy Lamb’s poignant novel tells of two women whose paths converge with unforeseen results—and reveals the gift of connection, and the challenges that can change everything for the better… 
Charlotte Mackintosh is an internationally known bestselling romance writer who has no romance, and remains a mystery to her fans. In fact, she has little in her life besides her work, her pampered cats, and her secluded home off the coast of Washington. And then there is her very best friend, Bridget, who lives in Scotland, where Charlotte lived until she was fifteen. Bridget, whom Charlotte hasn’t seen in twenty years, but continues to write to—though the replies have stopped. Hurt by the silence, an opportunity arises to find answers—and maybe much more.   
Charlotte must finally return to Scotland to sell her late father’s cottage. It was his tragic death when Charlotte was fifteen that began her growing isolation, and the task is fraught with memories. But her plans are slowed when she’s confronted with the beautiful but neglected house, the irresistible garden—and Toran, Bridget’s brother. Capable and kind, Toran has the answers Charlotte seeks. And as she is drawn deeper into the community she thought she’d left behind, Charlotte learns not only more about her dear friend, but about herself—and discovers a new and unexpected path.

Review: I was given an ARC of My Very Best Friend from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
For some reason I was just not feeling it with this book. To me the author was trying to hard at the beginning of the book to keep things hidden that I totally lost interest in finding out what was going on. It was almost like it was a big riddle and I was not in the mood to guess what it was. Then who meows at cats? Everything the main character did that I wanted to slap her and tell her to grow up. I can honestly say I have never hated a character as much as I hated this main character with her feminist stuff too. I just wanted her to shut up in my head as I was reading her words, I really did not want her to get her HEA in this book at all.
The plot of the book was good and the the other charters we're okay and that is why I am giving it three out of five stars.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

The Cowgirl Rides Away (Bluebonnet Texas) by Amie Stuart

My name is Jessalyn Stratton. I’ve been riding the rodeo circuit since I was seventeen. Now, I’m a twenty-six year old wash-out, a has-been with a fake knee who’s never really dated and never had a boyfriend. Then I stumbled across a personal ad on the Internet. 
Zack Boudreaux is a twenty-seven year old single dad living and working on his family’s ranch in Texas. He’s looking for the woman of his dreams and thinks he might have found it in me. 
I should be riding off into the sunset, living my Happily Ever After. Except after months of emailing each other and sharing secrets I’d never told a living soul, I still had one last secret to tell. 
Opening up to Zack was easy. Telling the truth could change everything. 

Review: I was given a copy of The Cowgirl Rides Away from NetGalley for an honest review and this is the review.
I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a fast romantic read for me. I really loved the characters Zack and Jessa because they brought something special to the story. I found myself laughing out loud in places and wanting to cry in frustration with some of the bad things that were going Jessa's way. I just got so caught up with her character. As for the romance, let's just say it nice and hot in some spots and a bit interesting (I may never look at candy the same again).
This was a very well written romance book especially if you are into the western themed books in lines of Diana Palmer type writing. I am giving it five out of five stars.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Evil Never Dies (Lizzy Gardner #6) by T.R. Ragan

Private investigator Lizzy Gardner believed in law and order once. But after losing a loved one to a killer and watching too many vicious predators game the system and walk free, she’s traded flawed justice for perfect vengeance.
Together with her tough and trusted assistants, Lizzy is tracking down a list of Sacramento’s worst offenders and dealing out the payback they deserve. But she may be lethally outmatched by a new criminal, a murderer the papers have dubbed the Sacramento Strangler. This ritualistic serial killer is dropping corpses and cryptic clues at a shocking rate—and he’s growing bolder and bloodier the longer he’s at large.
In the suspenseful finale to the Lizzy Gardner series, bestselling author T.R. Ragan’s gutsy heroine lashes out against the relentless onslaught of evil as she desperately fights to hang on to her own humanity.

Review:  I was given an ARC of Evil Never Dies from NetGalley for an honest review so this is the review.
It is hard to believe that this is the end of the Lizzy Gardner series by T.R. Ragan. I was hooked from the first book and I am still hooked now and I don't want to let this set of characters go because I have grown to love them so much because they have all grown so much throughout this series it is hard to see them go unless
Ms Ragan has a change of heart or does something with one of the other characters these girls will be greatly missed in mystery fiction.
Now for this book it was the perfect send off for Lizzy. The plot was well written and everyone had a huge role in story so we got so see a lot of Hayley, Kitally, Jessica, Tommy and even Jared who passed away had a role in this book so that was cool. I loved how everything came together but how it was left so Ragan can come back to the series if she wishes. I am not going to give spoilers so there is not a lot I can say about the plot and what happens to our beloved characters but I will say if you are a Lizzy Gardner fan this is a must read.
Needless to say this is five out of five stars.

 

Thursday, July 9, 2015

The Twinkies Cookbook, Twinkies 85th Anniversary Edition: A New Sweet and Savory Recipe Collection from America's Most Iconic Snack Cake by Hostess

A comeback cookbook for the perennially popular snack cake, with 50 unique sweet and savory recipes that highlight the whimsical nostalgia of America's favorite dessert. 
For more than 80 years, Twinkies have captivated the cravings of Americans both young and old. The Twinkies Cookbook, Second Edition explores the snack cake's heritage in the United States while celebrating its popularity in recipes for snacks both sweet and savory. For the first edition, Hostess urged Twinkie-aficionados across the nation to submit their favorite dishes featuring the cream-filled sponge cake. This new edition compiles the best of these colorful concoctions with 25 new recipes and additional photography. From a Twinkie-filled take on chicken and waffles to Twinkie pumpkin pie, these surprising and innovative recipes are a small slice of Americana that will be a hit with Twinkies fans across the country.

Review: I was given a copy of The Twinkies Cookbook....For an honest review and this is the review.
When I saw the title of this book I knew I had to have it because one of my favorite desserts as a child was Twinkie Cake that my mother would make for a special treat so I wanted to see what else what there to make and in my wildest dreams I had no idea what people made with Twinkies.
Anyway, the first part of the book was a nice touch it had a bit of history of the Twinkie and then also a bit about when the Twinkie was unavailable. Then we get to the recipes where I found I number that I can't wait to try and others that I am just not sure if I am ready for them yet. If you want to know how to make Twinkie pancakes or Corn dog Twinkies or one that sounds yummy to me Twinkie Lasagna this is the book for you. There are recipes under so many categories it blew my mind how many things you can make with Twinkies.
It is because of how informative this book was and how it opened my eyes up with all the uses of the Twinkie that I am giving this cookbook a five out of five rating.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Red Nights by Shari J. Ryan

I'm Felicity Stone, a twenty-five-year-old with my whole life ahead of me. Well, until recently. 
I didn't do it. Why would they think I did? Why would I want my twin brother dead? Why is everyone looking at me like I'm a criminal? 
Well, everyone except him... Hayes Peyton, the charmingly beautiful stranger I met in the park at midnight; a totally legitimate place to meet the man of my dreams. Plus, he knows I'm innocent.
Believing him is easy. So very easy. Maybe too easy?
But when you hear things like: 'All good is laced with some bad, and everything you think is the truth, is nothing more than a blatant lie,' it makes you question reality.

Review: I was given a copy of Red Nights from NetGalley for an honest review so here is the review.
This was my first book from this author and I can say I will definitely be looking for more. Red Nights had everything I look for in a book, a great plot, well developed characters and some romance.
I really enjoyed Felicity and Hayes and how they interacted with each other. I also have to mention that their love scenes were pretty darn hot as well. The suspense part of the book was also very well written and the final part I did not see coming at all. Some things I did figure out but the complete end was nicely done and a bit of a shock.
I really enjoyed this book and found a new writer to look for more books from and it is because of this I am giving this book five out of five stars.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Death Night by Todd Ritter


Two things Perry Hollow Police Chief Kat Campbell never thought she would do again: Enter a burning building, and lay eyes on Henry Goll, the man who was trapped inside with her the last time she was in one. So Kat's on high alert when, barely a year after the dust settled around the Grim Reaper killings, both happen on the same day.
She's jolted awake at 1 a.m. by a desperate phone call telling her Perry Hollow’s one and only museum—home to all the town’s historical artifacts—has been set on fire. Arriving at the scene, Kat catches just a glimpse of Henry's face among the crowd before she's rushed into the charred building, only to find the museum curator dead…bludgeoned, not burned.
Kat has lived through some tense moments and seen some gruesome crimes, but the next twenty-four hours will be the most dangerous of her life as she and Henry seek out a killer and the motivation behind these terrifying crimes.
Todd Ritter returns to the beloved town of Perry Hollow, Pennsylvania with Death Night, his most poignant, cleverly plotted novel yet.

Review: I was given a copy of Death Night from NetGalley for an honest review and this is the review.
I am a total fan of Todd Ritter and after reading Death Night I can't wait to see what happens next in this series. I love Kat as a character and I think she would be a really cool person if she really did exists and the rest of the characters in this series are also awesome as well.
I loved this storyline because I really I had no idea who the arsonist was until the very end and I love that in a mystery, an author that keeps you guessing. I also enjoyed the bit of sexual tension between Henry and Kat and would love to see that go somewhere in the next book.
Overall, this was an excellent read that I highly enjoyed and I would recommend it to others and that is why I am giving it five out of five stars.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Soul Deep (I-Team #6.5) by Pamela Clare

Rancher Jack West knows what it means to love a woman with all his heart and to lose her far too soon. A widower for seven long years, he thinks love and romance are a part of his past. He devotes himself to his grown son and his family, the horses they raise, and the land that has been theirs for three generations. He doesn’t know that life has a surprise in store for him in the form of Janet Killeen, the lovely FBI agent he threw off his land last winter.
The bullet that left Janet Killeen seriously wounded also tore a hole through her life. All she wants is a little peace and quiet in the mountains, a chance to feel like herself again. That chance comes to an abrupt end when she goes off the road in a snowstorm and winds up stranded alone in a ditch. The last person on earth she wants to see is that arrogant jerk Jack West, no matter how handsome he is. But from the moment Jack finds her and offers her his hand, she realizes there’s far more to this gruff cowboy than she had imagined.
But trouble is brewing at Cimarron Ranch. A deranged man with an inscrutable motive is moving in for the kill, threatening to end Jack and Janet’s romance before they can claim a love that is … Soul Deep.


Review:  I was given a copy of Soul Deep from NetGalley for an honest review so this is the review.
I really enjoyed Jack and Janet's story. This was a sweet romance with a bit of suspense thrown in. I believe this was the first book I have read in this series but after reading this one I will definitely look for more. I loved the characters and the story and the entire book. With it being a novella it was a nice short read that was very satisfying.
I am giving this book five out of five stars and am looking forward to the next one in the series because I am now a fan.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Lawyer for the Dog: A Novel by Lee Robinson

One of the sharpest attorneys in Charleston, S.C., Sally Baynard isn’t your typical southern belle. She’s certainly not what her mother hoped she’d grow up to be, especially since she divorced her husband, Family Court Judge Joe Baynard, and his historic family with their historic wealth and historic houses. Maybe Sally was never going to be a proper society lady, but her success as a public defender and family lawyer have been enough for her. She’s represented murderers, burglars, drug dealers and lately has taken on some of the thorniest divorces, all cases closed with her Sally Bright Baynard wit, charm and brains. 
Or have they? One case she’s never successfully closed is her marriage. And when Judge Joe assigns her to one of his divorce cases by appointing her as the Lawyer for the Dog -- Sherman, a miniature schnauzer-- she’s forced into close quarters with him again. Juggling the needs of the dog, the angry owners, her amorous but uncommunicative ex-husband, her aging, Alzheimer’s-ridden mother, and the expectations of the court is more than Sally could have imagined. And as rascally Sherman digs his way into Sally’s heart, he brings along his charming vet Tony, a man who makes Sally question her views on love and marriage.


 Review:  I was given an ARC of Lawyer for the Dog from NetGalley for an honest review and this is the review.
I had mixed feelings for this book. I thought it was pretty good and even though it was a short book it seemed to drag on for me or maybe I was just not totally feeling the book as well as I was hoping I would. I enjoyed parts of the book a lot, I thought the idea of being a lawyer for a dog when a couple was fighting over him was clever and Sherman sounded like an adorable pooch but some other things like some of the lawyers other crazy clients I really saw no use for and I wish more focus would have been on her love life, her mom, or the Dog.
It is because of this I am giving this three out of five stars.